Can Entrepreneurs Learn From Confucius?
The teachings of Confucius have endured for centuries and remain influential in the thought and lives of many Asian people and other cultures around the world. Confucius was a philosopher who emphasised personal and government morality, justice, sincerity and virtuousness. I wonder what relevance the words of Confucius have to entrepreneurs in today’s world of immediate gratification, liberal morals and values and access to endless streams of information? Here is some of what Confucius had to say.
1. “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop”. We live in a world of speed and instant access, yet it is common for entrepreneurs to have minimal business success, on average 17 times, before they reach the pinnacle of success. It really does not matter how long it takes, what matters is getting there in the end.
2. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do”. These words have been repeated by leaders throughout time, recently with a little variation by Sir Winston Churchill who said “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Hmmm, the power of great philosophy is that it never changes. Such good advice for any entrepreneur.
3. “What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.” Looking inside yourself to find the strength and conviction necessary to achieve anything that you want is the foundation of modern personal development programs. Today, this philosophy is couched in such terms as “lead from the front” or “be the change that you want to see” and “the only person that you can motivate is yourself”.
4. “Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.” Today’s philosophers and guru’s talk about finding your passion, having a burning desire or 100% commitment, they could just as easily say “go for it, with all of your heart”.
5. “They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.” And the baby boomers have thought that they had the premium on change with frequent comments that they are change weary or have endured too much change in their lives. Linking change to happiness and wisdom is a concept not often heard; yet any entrepreneur is likely to be living this reality. Others might choose to live a life with less fulfillment rather than face the change required to do something different. The idea of seeking wisdom and happiness through change is exciting and one of Confucius’ philosophies to be embraced.
6. “Things that are done, it is needless to speak about…things that are past, it is needless to blame.” You attract what you focus on and if you focus on past hurts or injustices then you will get more of the same. Blame is a negative emotion and if you focus on blame you will attract negativity. Instead, use what you do not want to get focused on what you do want for your future and speak about that.
7. “Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.” If you want to be successful, be in the acquaintance of successful people. If you want to be a millionaire associate with millionaires. You will learn much in the company of others and even more if you carefully select your role models.
Thousands of years ago or 2009? It seems that the philosophical teachings remain the same and entrepreneurs can continue to look to the Masters of every generation to learn and develop their own unique way of viewing the world and achieve success.
How do you embrace change and maintain 100% commitment to your business, even when the going is tough?
How are you using the present moment to prepare for your future?
Get Your Daily Inspirational Dose
It is hardly surprising that the personal development industry worldwide generates approximately 16 to 19 million dollars annually as more and more people reach out to take control of their own lives, achievements and success. Inspirational books seem to walk off shelves destined for a quick read and the book shelf. Even so, they are always there just waiting for you to pick them up for another read and amazingly a whole new take on the subject. At least that is what happens for me.
There are other ways to get your inspirational fix though with DVD’s now readily available and short videos on YouTube. A look every day will provide you with an endless supply of material. Or take a look at this excellent new product.
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Gain Wisdom Like an Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is always hunting for new ideas, scanning the horizon to see what is happening and changing and learning from the past and for the future. This is all just a habit that is cultivated for the purpose. The getting of wisdom requires effort, discipline and willingness to learn from past mistakes and present opportunities. As well as willingness to learn from others. It also helps if you know what you need to know.
Jim Rohn, writing in his book “7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness” was not specifically writing about entrepreneurs when he said “One of the fundamental strategies of living the good life is knowing what information you need in order to achieve your aims.” He went on to say that if you wish to be successful then study success, if you wish to have happiness then study happiness. People who achieve what they desire do not do it by accident. They study and they practice. It is easy to see how this would apply to the entrepreneurial person.
To become an entrepreneur, start by determining what it is that you desire and study that, practice that, focus on that and allow it to come into your life.
Are you becoming an entrepreneur?
Is Becoming an Entrepreneur Only About Money?
Many people hold the view that becoming an entrepreneur is all about making money and that this is not of interest to them. However, there are many entrepreneurs who are also inventors and others who are committed to doing good works or charitable works. Being an entrepreneur is about the full range of opportunities that are possible in a persons life; including relationships, health and well-being and business life. And in the relationships area, many entrepreneurs are very interested in broader relationships with the community apart from their close personal relationship. In this arena, entrepreneurs might be doing any number of community works.
Recently for example, I was in Hawaii with a group of entrepreneurs who raised $300,000 dollars for the Make a Wish Foundation in Hawaii. I am also aware of a well known Cairns entrepreneur who has set up and sponsors a number of Foundations, some in support of young people. Doing good works is part of being an entrepreneur, however they are not necessarily out there telling everyone that they are doing good things. Often it is about the quiet achiever.
Becoming an entrepreneur is about much more than making money.
Intend To Be An Entrepreneur
Let’s dream for a moment that you have woken up with the realisation that you too can be an entrepreneur and you have no idea where to start. You know what, start from where you are at. That’s right, there is only one place to start, from where you are at right now. Take a good look at your current situation and decide how that supports you right now and how you will use that position to support you on to your next phase – becoming an entrepreneur. Build on your positive strengths and release those things that hold you back. But most importantly, right now, not sometime in the future, intend to be an entrepreneur.
Intention, as described by Deepak Chopra is singlemindedness of purpose, it is well defined and not countermanded by any other conflicting desires or interests. You make a decision and go for it and then be alert for opportunities.
Napoleon Hill, the first writer of personal development, calls this your “burning desire”; grow your burning desire to be an entrepreneur. You may not have that burning desire right now but you may have a tiny ember, glowing somewhere deep within. Often people have carried a dream from childhood and every now and then they feel the warm glow of what used to be a flame, but then they let it go again. It is true that many potential entrepreneurs know what they want but simply do not do what is necessary to get it. So, to overcome that inaction, fan the flames of your burning desire to achieve whatever it is that will take you to entrepreneurship.
There are any number of ways to fan those flames and become an entrepreneur! I have heard it said that the quickest way to have a million dollars is to make a million dollars and there has never been a better time than right now. Right now is always the best moment to take action and it will always be easier to take action if you burn to have something. Take a little time to figure out what the something is. For me it was to be happy, have freedom and have my own business. So on all of those fronts I found my burning desire. Give attention to what you want. Think about it, talk about it, see your burning desire growing and growing and intend to succeed.
Intent is everything to the entrepreneur, it keeps you focused and in action. It is hard to imagine how one can succeed if you do not start out with that intent. This is the basis of the burning desire. Your intent should headline your every day – I intend to succeed at …., today I intend to ….., right now I intend to ……. Determine your intent as a part of you overall goals, as part of your day and every moment.
You can even play with this and have fun – being an entrepreneur is not all very serious business. For example, one of my favourite bits of fun is to set off from home with the intent to have a park exactly where I need it and then to see how well I have done. Intend to be an entrepreneur – it is a key part to your success.
